Combination cargo stop and step
A tailgate includes an opening through a rear end of the tailgate when in a tailgate open position. The tailgate also includes a tailgate extender having support tubes extending through the opening and telescopically slidable outward from the tailgate, a laterally extending support beam supported by the support tubes, and a cargo-assist step pivotally mounted to the support beam, the cargo-assist step configured to pivot downwardly when the support tubes are pivoted downwardly to define a step and to pivot upwardly into a vertical position when the support tubes extend horizontally to define a cargo stop.
1. A tailgate comprising:
an opening through a rear end of the tailgate when in a tailgate open position; and
a tailgate extender having support tubes extending through the opening and telescopically slidable outward from the tailgate, a laterally extending support beam supported by the support tubes, and a cargo-assist step pivotally mounted to the support beam, the cargo-assist step configured to pivot downwardly when the support tubes are pivoted downwardly to define a step and to pivot upwardly into a vertical position when the support tubes extend horizontally to define a cargo stop.
2. The tailgate of claim 1 further comprising:
an inner panel defining an upper surface of the tailgate when in a horizontal position, the inner panel having a hole therethrough;
one of the support tubes having extension lock openings selectively alignable with the hole as the support tubes are telescopically moved relative to the opening; and
an extension pin extending through the hole and into one of the extension lock openings.
3. The tailgate of claim 2 wherein there inner panel includes a second hole therethrough, the other of the support tubes has second extension lock openings selectively alignable with the second hole, and a second extension pin extending through the second hole and into one of the second extension lock openings.
4. The tailgate of claim 2 wherein the cargo-assist step is biased toward an orientation essentially parallel to the support tubes.
5. The tailgate of claim 1 wherein the cargo-assist step is biased toward an orientation essentially parallel to the support tubes.
6. The tailgate of claim 5 including a latch mounted between the support beam and the cargo-assist step that is configured to selectively retain the cargo-assist step in the vertical position.
7. The tailgate of claim 2 including a latch mounted between the support beam and the cargo-assist step that is configured to selectively retain the cargo-assist step in the vertical position.
8. The tailgate of claim 1 including a latch mounted between the support beam and the cargo-assist step that is configured to selectively retain the cargo-assist step in the vertical position.
9. A tailgate comprising:
a rear end of the tailgate, when in a tailgate open position, having an opening therethrough; and
a tailgate extender having a pair of support tubes extending through the opening and slidable outward therethrough, a support beam supported between the support tubes, and a cargo-assist step pivotally mounted to the support beam, the cargo-assist step configured to pivot downwardly to define a step and to pivot upwardly into a vertical position when the support tubes extend horizontally to define a cargo stop.
10. The tailgate of claim 9 further comprising:
an inner panel defining an upper surface of the tailgate when in a horizontal position, the inner panel having a hole therethrough;
one of the support tubes having extension lock openings selectively alignable with the hole as the support tubes are telescopically moved relative to the opening; and
an extension pin extending through the hole and into one of the extension lock openings.
11. The tailgate of claim 9 wherein the cargo-assist step is biased toward an orientation essentially parallel to the support tubes.
12. The tailgate of claim 9 including a latch mounted between the support beam and the cargo-assist step that is configured to selectively retain the cargo-assist step in the vertical position.